Inference Task Cards: Everyday Mysteries Reading…

Card #1

The door creaked open as Maya stepped inside. She immediately noticed her blue umbrella leaning against the wall, dripping a steady stream of water onto the rug. Beside it sat her rain boots, caked in fresh, dark mud. Maya’s mother was standing in the kitchen, hanging a heavy, soaked trench coat over a chair. Outside, the sky was a dull, heavy gray, and the trees were swaying violently in the wind.

What can you infer about the weather outside? A. A dry dust storm is blowing through the town. B. It is a hot, sunny summer day. C. It is snowing and the ground is frozen. D. It is currently raining or has just rained heavily.

Card #2

A sad dog looking at an empty bowl, implying it is hungry and needs food.

Rex sat by his bowl, nudging the empty ceramic dish with his nose. It clattered against the tile floor, making a hollow sound. There wasn't a single kibble left, and even the water dish was bone-dry. Rex looked up at his owner, his tail giving one slow, hopeful wag. He let out a soft whine and pawed at the cabinet where the heavy bag of food was kept.

What can you infer about Rex? A. He is scared of the empty bowl. B. He just finished a very large meal. C. He is hungry and wants to be fed. D. He is tired and wants to go to sleep.

Card #3

The sun beat down on the grass as hundreds of people stood on their feet. Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the bleachers. People were waving foam fingers and tossing popcorn into the air. On the field, a group of players in bright blue jerseys began jumping up and down, hugging each other in a giant circle. The scoreboard flashed bright red numbers, and the giant clock finally hit zero.

What just happened at the event? A. The home team lost the game. B. The game is just starting. C. The crowd is angry about a bad play. D. The home team won the game.

Card #4

Smoking burnt toast in a toaster, implying a cooking mishap.

A thick, gray haze drifted through the air of the apartment. Sarah ran into the kitchen, waving her hands to clear the smoke. The sharp, bitter scent of charred bread filled her nose. She reached for the lever on the toaster and popped up two blackened, smoking squares. The smoke alarm in the hallway began to let out a piercing, rhythmic beep that echoed off the white tile walls.

What is the cause of the smoke? A. Sarah burnt her toast. B. Sarah is cooking a large steak. C. The toaster is broken and won't turn off. D. There is a fire in the living room fireplace.

Card #5

Leo stood in his bedroom, struggling to zip his heavy suitcase. It was stuffed with colorful t-shirts, swim trunks, and a bottle of sunscreen. On his nightstand lay a small paper folder containing two airplane tickets and a colorful map of a tropical island. His flip-flops were tucked into the side pocket. Leo checked his watch nervously and looked out the window for the yellow taxi he had called.

What is Leo about to do? A. Go on a tropical vacation. B. Go to work at a clothing store. C. Go to school for a normal day. D. Move to a new house across town.

Card #6

A fallen tree branch on a sidewalk with puddles, implying a recent storm has occurred.

The morning air was still and quiet, but the neighborhood looked very different. A massive oak branch lay sprawled across the sidewalk, blocking the path for anyone walking to school. Several smaller twigs and hundreds of green leaves were scattered across the wet pavement. Across the street, a trash can was tipped over, its lid rolling in the gutter. Mr. Henderson was already outside with a chainsaw.

What happened during the night? A. A construction crew cut down the trees. B. A powerful storm moved through. C. It was a very calm and peaceful night. D. The neighbors had a large outdoor party.

Card #7

Mrs. Gable walked past her neighbor's house and noticed the mailbox was overflowing with envelopes and colorful flyers. The grass in the front yard had grown tall and shaggy, reaching almost to the bottom of the porch steps. A thick layer of yellow pollen covered the windshield of the car parked in the driveway. No lights were visible through the windows, and the newspaper from three days ago sat soggy on the lawn.

What can you infer about the neighbors? A. They are busy cleaning the house. B. They just moved into the house today. C. They are away on a trip or vacation. D. They are hiding inside the house.

Card #8

Detective Miller knelt by the open window and adjusted his glasses. A trail of messy, brown footprints led from the flowerbed outside, across the windowsill, and straight onto the white living room carpet. The prints were large and shaped like heavy work boots. Near the sofa, a small piece of blue fabric was caught on a sharp corner of the wooden table. The glass case that usually held the trophy was empty.

What happened in the living room? A. Someone cleaned the carpets. B. The trophy was stolen by an intruder. C. The owner moved the trophy to a new room. D. A pet dog ran through the house.

Card #9

Tim sat at his desk, but he wasn't looking at his math book. His eyes were watery and rimmed with red, and he kept reaching for a box of tissues. He let out three loud sneezes in a row, followed by a long, heavy sniffle. His nose was bright pink, and he had a thick scarf wrapped around his neck even though it was warm inside the classroom. His head felt very heavy.

How is Tim feeling? A. He is feeling sick or has allergies. B. He is excited for his math test. C. He is bored and wants to go home. D. He is very happy and energetic.

Card #10

The wooden birdhouse hung silently from the old maple tree. Just last week, a pair of bluebirds had been busy flying back and forth with bits of straw. Now, the small circular entrance was quiet, and several blue feathers lay scattered on the grass below. A long, thin scratch mark was visible on the wooden pole. A neighborhood cat sat nearby, licking its paws and looking up at the empty branch with interest.

What likely happened to the birds? A. A cat attacked or scared them away. B. They moved to a different birdhouse. C. They finished building their nest and are sleeping. D. They flew south for the winter.

Card #11

The living room was a mess of bright colors. Striped party hats were scattered on the floor, and a few deflated balloons hung sadly from the ceiling fan. On the table, a large cake plate held only a few crumbs and a smear of chocolate frosting. Several colorful gift bags, now empty, were piled in the corner next to a stack of torn wrapping paper. A "Happy 10th Birthday" banner hung lopsided over the window.

What event just took place? A. A school graduation. B. A surprise wedding ceremony. C. A neighborhood yard sale. D. A child's birthday party.

Card #12

Jenny walked into the mudroom and kicked off her sneakers. They made a squelching sound as they hit the mat, and a small puddle of water quickly formed around them. Her jeans were soaked from the knees down, and her hair was plastered to her forehead in wet clumps. She pulled a damp towel from the hook and began to dry her face, shivering slightly. Outside, the rhythmic tapping sound on the roof continued.

What is Jenny's situation? A. She fell into a pond while hiking. B. She was playing with a garden hose. C. She got caught in a rainstorm. D. She just finished a swimming lesson.

Card #13

The kitchen was suspiciously quiet when Mom walked in. On the counter, the birthday cake she had spent all morning decorating now had a large, jagged hole in the side. A small, chocolatey handprint was visible on the white marble surface. Under the table, little Tommy sat perfectly still, his face covered in dark brown smears. He held a silver fork tightly in his hand and wouldn't look up when his name was called.

Who ate some of the cake? A. An unknown guest. B. The family dog. C. Little Tommy. D. Mom herself.

Card #14

A blue bicycle lay on its side in the middle of the driveway, one wheel still spinning slowly. Nearby, a pair of scuffed elbow pads sat in the grass. Liam sat on the porch steps, holding his knee and biting his lip. A bright red scrape was visible on his skin, and a small tear ran down his dusty cheek. His father walked toward him, holding a box of bandages and a bottle of spray.

What happened to Liam? A. He is tired from a long bike ride. B. He is playing a game of hide and seek. C. He decided he didn't want to ride his bike. D. He fell off his bicycle and got hurt.

Card #15

The campsite was pitch black except for two narrow beams of light cutting through the trees. The light danced over the leaves as the two figures moved slowly toward the lake. One person carried a long metal rod with a hook, while the other held a plastic bucket that rattled with every step. They spoke in low whispers so they wouldn't wake the other campers. The crickets chirped loudly as the moon rose over the water.

What are the people doing? A. Searching for lost treasure. B. Going night fishing. C. Going for a midnight swim. D. Hiking to the top of a mountain.

Card #16

On the Sunday night before September, Maya laid out her outfit on the bed. Her new sneakers were still in the box, smelling of fresh rubber and glue. Her backpack was zipped tight, bulging with sharp pencils, a clean notebook, and a brand-new box of crayons. She checked her alarm clock three times to make sure it was set for seven in the morning. Maya felt a fluttery, nervous feeling in her stomach.

What is happening tomorrow? A. It is the first day of school. B. Maya is going on a summer camping trip. C. Maya is going to a birthday party. D. It is a relaxing Saturday morning.

Card #17

The lid of the glass cookie jar sat slightly crooked on the counter. Inside, only a few crumbs remained where a dozen oatmeal raisins had been just an hour ago. Sarah noticed her younger brother, Ben, sitting on the sofa with a suspicious amount of crumbs on his blue shirt. When she asked where the cookies went, Ben suddenly became very interested in the cartoon playing on the television and wouldn't say a word.

What can you infer about Ben? A. He helped Sarah bake the cookies. B. He doesn't like oatmeal raisin cookies. C. He is sad because the cookies are gone. D. He ate the missing cookies.

Card #18

The driveway was covered in a thick layer of white, fluffy bubbles that smelled like lemons. A long green hose snaked across the concrete, spraying a steady stream of water onto the family's minivan. Dad was wearing shorts and old sneakers, holding a large yellow sponge dripping with soap. He wiped the sponge across the hood, revealing the shiny, bright red paint underneath. A bucket of sudsy water sat nearby, filled with several colorful rags.

What is Dad doing? A. Washing the family car. B. Playing in the bubbles with the kids. C. Cleaning the garage floor. D. Watering the garden plants.

Card #19

The world outside was a blanket of pure, sparkling white that reached halfway up the front door. Thick icicles hung from the roof like frozen fingers. Lucas pulled on his heavy wool socks and stepped into his waterproof boots. He grabbed the wide plastic shovel from the garage and began to push the heavy mounds of white powder off the driveway. His breath came out in small, puffy clouds of steam as he worked in the cold.

What is the weather like? A. It is a foggy morning at the beach. B. It has snowed heavily and is very cold. C. It is a very rainy spring day. D. A sandstorm has covered the driveway.

Card #20

The only light in the basement came from the giant glowing screen on the wall. A large bowl of buttery popcorn sat between Chloe and her brother, who were both buried under a pile of fuzzy blankets. On the screen, a group of brave explorers was walking through a spooky cave. Neither of them moved a muscle, their eyes fixed on the action. The sound of dramatic music filled the room, making the floor vibrate slightly.

What are Chloe and her brother doing? A. They are cleaning the basement. B. They are watching a movie. C. They are trying to fall asleep. D. They are playing a video game.

Card #1

The door creaked open as Maya stepped inside. She immediately noticed her blue umbrella leaning against the wall, dripping a steady stream of water onto the rug. Beside it sat her rain boots, caked in fresh, dark mud. Maya’s mother was standing in the kitchen, hanging a heavy, soaked trench coat over a chair. Outside, the sky was a dull, heavy gray, and the trees were swaying violently in the wind.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #2

Rex sat by his bowl, nudging the empty ceramic dish with his nose. It clattered against the tile floor, making a hollow sound. There wasn't a single kibble left, and even the water dish was bone-dry. Rex looked up at his owner, his tail giving one slow, hopeful wag. He let out a soft whine and pawed at the cabinet where the heavy bag of food was kept.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #3

The sun beat down on the grass as hundreds of people stood on their feet. Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the bleachers. People were waving foam fingers and tossing popcorn into the air. On the field, a group of players in bright blue jerseys began jumping up and down, hugging each other in a giant circle. The scoreboard flashed bright red numbers, and the giant clock finally hit zero.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #4

A thick, gray haze drifted through the air of the apartment. Sarah ran into the kitchen, waving her hands to clear the smoke. The sharp, bitter scent of charred bread filled her nose. She reached for the lever on the toaster and popped up two blackened, smoking squares. The smoke alarm in the hallway began to let out a piercing, rhythmic beep that echoed off the white tile walls.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #5

Leo stood in his bedroom, struggling to zip his heavy suitcase. It was stuffed with colorful t-shirts, swim trunks, and a bottle of sunscreen. On his nightstand lay a small paper folder containing two airplane tickets and a colorful map of a tropical island. His flip-flops were tucked into the side pocket. Leo checked his watch nervously and looked out the window for the yellow taxi he had called.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #6

The morning air was still and quiet, but the neighborhood looked very different. A massive oak branch lay sprawled across the sidewalk, blocking the path for anyone walking to school. Several smaller twigs and hundreds of green leaves were scattered across the wet pavement. Across the street, a trash can was tipped over, its lid rolling in the gutter. Mr. Henderson was already outside with a chainsaw.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #7

Mrs. Gable walked past her neighbor's house and noticed the mailbox was overflowing with envelopes and colorful flyers. The grass in the front yard had grown tall and shaggy, reaching almost to the bottom of the porch steps. A thick layer of yellow pollen covered the windshield of the car parked in the driveway. No lights were visible through the windows, and the newspaper from three days ago sat soggy on the lawn.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #8

Detective Miller knelt by the open window and adjusted his glasses. A trail of messy, brown footprints led from the flowerbed outside, across the windowsill, and straight onto the white living room carpet. The prints were large and shaped like heavy work boots. Near the sofa, a small piece of blue fabric was caught on a sharp corner of the wooden table. The glass case that usually held the trophy was empty.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #9

Tim sat at his desk, but he wasn't looking at his math book. His eyes were watery and rimmed with red, and he kept reaching for a box of tissues. He let out three loud sneezes in a row, followed by a long, heavy sniffle. His nose was bright pink, and he had a thick scarf wrapped around his neck even though it was warm inside the classroom. His head felt very heavy.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #10

The wooden birdhouse hung silently from the old maple tree. Just last week, a pair of bluebirds had been busy flying back and forth with bits of straw. Now, the small circular entrance was quiet, and several blue feathers lay scattered on the grass below. A long, thin scratch mark was visible on the wooden pole. A neighborhood cat sat nearby, licking its paws and looking up at the empty branch with interest.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #11

The living room was a mess of bright colors. Striped party hats were scattered on the floor, and a few deflated balloons hung sadly from the ceiling fan. On the table, a large cake plate held only a few crumbs and a smear of chocolate frosting. Several colorful gift bags, now empty, were piled in the corner next to a stack of torn wrapping paper. A "Happy 10th Birthday" banner hung lopsided over the window.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #12

Jenny walked into the mudroom and kicked off her sneakers. They made a squelching sound as they hit the mat, and a small puddle of water quickly formed around them. Her jeans were soaked from the knees down, and her hair was plastered to her forehead in wet clumps. She pulled a damp towel from the hook and began to dry her face, shivering slightly. Outside, the rhythmic tapping sound on the roof continued.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #13

The kitchen was suspiciously quiet when Mom walked in. On the counter, the birthday cake she had spent all morning decorating now had a large, jagged hole in the side. A small, chocolatey handprint was visible on the white marble surface. Under the table, little Tommy sat perfectly still, his face covered in dark brown smears. He held a silver fork tightly in his hand and wouldn't look up when his name was called.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #14

A blue bicycle lay on its side in the middle of the driveway, one wheel still spinning slowly. Nearby, a pair of scuffed elbow pads sat in the grass. Liam sat on the porch steps, holding his knee and biting his lip. A bright red scrape was visible on his skin, and a small tear ran down his dusty cheek. His father walked toward him, holding a box of bandages and a bottle of spray.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #15

The campsite was pitch black except for two narrow beams of light cutting through the trees. The light danced over the leaves as the two figures moved slowly toward the lake. One person carried a long metal rod with a hook, while the other held a plastic bucket that rattled with every step. They spoke in low whispers so they wouldn't wake the other campers. The crickets chirped loudly as the moon rose over the water.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #16

On the Sunday night before September, Maya laid out her outfit on the bed. Her new sneakers were still in the box, smelling of fresh rubber and glue. Her backpack was zipped tight, bulging with sharp pencils, a clean notebook, and a brand-new box of crayons. She checked her alarm clock three times to make sure it was set for seven in the morning. Maya felt a fluttery, nervous feeling in her stomach.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #17

The lid of the glass cookie jar sat slightly crooked on the counter. Inside, only a few crumbs remained where a dozen oatmeal raisins had been just an hour ago. Sarah noticed her younger brother, Ben, sitting on the sofa with a suspicious amount of crumbs on his blue shirt. When she asked where the cookies went, Ben suddenly became very interested in the cartoon playing on the television and wouldn't say a word.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #18

The driveway was covered in a thick layer of white, fluffy bubbles that smelled like lemons. A long green hose snaked across the concrete, spraying a steady stream of water onto the family's minivan. Dad was wearing shorts and old sneakers, holding a large yellow sponge dripping with soap. He wiped the sponge across the hood, revealing the shiny, bright red paint underneath. A bucket of sudsy water sat nearby, filled with several colorful rags.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #19

The world outside was a blanket of pure, sparkling white that reached halfway up the front door. Thick icicles hung from the roof like frozen fingers. Lucas pulled on his heavy wool socks and stepped into his waterproof boots. He grabbed the wide plastic shovel from the garage and began to push the heavy mounds of white powder off the driveway. His breath came out in small, puffy clouds of steam as he worked in the cold.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Card #20

The only light in the basement came from the giant glowing screen on the wall. A large bowl of buttery popcorn sat between Chloe and her brother, who were both buried under a pile of fuzzy blankets. On the screen, a group of brave explorers was walking through a spooky cave. Neither of them moved a muscle, their eyes fixed on the action. The sound of dramatic music filled the room, making the floor vibrate slightly.

What can you infer?

What is your proof?

Inference Task Cards: Everyday Mysteries Reading Comprehension and Evidence Practice for Grades 3-5